Elephants Need You

Africa is losing its elephants

Amazing as they are to us, they're also being hunted down for their ivory tusks.

But there is hope.

Now is the moment to be involved

We'll show you what we're doing to keep elephants with us for a long time to come – and we'll give you a first assignment.

African Elephant Population in 1980

1,200,000

Source: IUCN Species Survival Commission, 2012

Our Approach

The Nature Conservancy is tackling this complex crisis all the way from where elephants are struggling to survive to where illegal ivory is being sold.

Here's how we're working with partners to use dogs, beads and other creative solutions to help ensure that there will always be plenty of wild elephants in Africa.

Photo: Ami Vitale

Step Up Security

Poachers take advantage when elephants are not being effectively protected.

From supplying cutting-edge technology to supporting community watch programs, The Nature Conservancy is helping train and equip wildlife rangers to do a better job across the millions of square miles of elephant habitat they patrol.

Photo: Ami Vitale

Secure Habitat

An elephant herd can travel up to 30 miles a day in search of food, often encountering dangerous situations.

The Nature Conservancy works with partners to form community-run conservation areas and to implement creative solutions, such as building a highway underpass to reconnect a blocked migration path.

Reduce the Demand

Most illegal ivory is sold in China, where the majority of consumers are unaware of its origins and the elephant poaching crisis.

The Nature Conservancy is mobilizing some of the country's most influential leaders to educate consumers, erode the prestige of ivory and clean up the online marketplace.

Photo: Kin Cheung / AP

Gain Local Support

Illegal ivory fetches high prices on the black market, creating a strong temptation for people living in poverty.

The Nature Conservancy works with partners to provide incentives to people living among elephants to help keep them safe, such as better livelihoods. This is absolutely key to the long-term survival of elephants.

Photos: Ami Vitale & Joy's Camp, Kenya

Get Involved

Join our team to get action alerts and news of our progress. We can't do this without you.

60

Years

600

Scientists

35

Countries

1,000,000

Members

120,000,000

Acres Conserved

Learn more about our work to protect elephants:

Thanks to our partners

In Africa, The Nature Conservancy focuses on supporting, strengthening and connecting the work of our partners, and bringing people together to collaborate, because we're all more powerful when we work together.